asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will now make an announcement regarding the reduction in the charges now being made for letters and postcards.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to similar Questions asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Worthing (Brigadier O. L. Prior-Palmer) and the hon. Member for Sutton Cold-field (Sir J. Mellor) on 20th December, 1945.

Would the Minister consider making a reduction in letter cards or letters not weighing more that one ounce? At present it is 2½d. for two ounces.

We are considering the whole of the matter.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what arrangements were made for troops to assist his staff at the G.P.O. in London at Christmas time; and what extra pay they received.

Members of the Forces, rising to a peak number of about 2,600, were loaned to the Post Office during the last Christmas season for the purpose of assisting in the heavy work at the main offices and terminal stations in London for which sufficient suitable civilian adult male labour was not available. No extra payment was made to the men in question, who continued to receive their normal military pay and allowances. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my noble Friend's appreciation of the help given by the troops in disposing of the heavy Christmas mails.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these men were detailed to go and were not volunteers; that in some cases they left barracks at 5.30 in the morning and did not get back till 7 o'clock at night; and will he see that these very long hours are not worked again and that extra pay will be given for Service personnel engaged in this work?

Can the hon. Gentleman say if this work done by the soldiers interfered with their Christmas leave in any way?

No. I do not think so.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will state the number of would-be telephone subscribers on the waiting list in December 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945, and the numbers for each month in 1945; when it is anticipated that would-be subscribers will not have to wait longer than one month before connection; and what is the present average delay between application and connection.

As the answer to this Question contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Could the hon. Gentleman say if there will be any improvement, and if would-be subscribers will get on the telephone system more quickly?

Yes, I think we have about reached the peak now and things will get better.

Following is the answer:

The numbers of would-be telephone subscribers waiting for telephone service at the dates mentioned were as follows:

Monthly figures before September, 1945, are not available, and quarterly figures have therefore been given.

The connection of all new subscribers within a month of their application depends on the availability of plant and labour. The Post Office is to a considerable extent drawing on the same labour resources as are required for the housing programme, particularly in constructing or extending telephone exchange buildings and in laying underground plant, ducts for telephone cables, in the streets. It is not yet possible to say when the heavy arrears of such work which have accumulated during the war can be overtaken, particularly in view of the present exceptionally large demands for telephone service. Where plant is available, the average delay between application and connection, due to the arrears of work to be done, is at present estimated to be between six and eight weeks.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many trunk telephone circuits are now under the control of the Post Office and the Service authorities, respectively; and how many additional circuits will be taken over from the Services by the Post Office in the next three months.

As to the first part of the Question, the figures are 12,300 and 6,360 respectively. As to the second part, it is expected that the figure will be about 600.

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that this is very unsatisfactory? In fact the whole position of the telephone service is unsatisfactory, and will he do his utmost to get additional personnel released from the Forces?

We are getting them and the Services are co-operating with us. The difficulty about which my Noble Friend is thinking is not connected so much with the circuits as with the shortage of labour which now exists.

Is it not about time that members of the Post Office engineering staff, lent to military authorities for "D" day operations abroad and who are still overseas, were brought back and their duties taken over by the Royal Engineers?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, in view of the labour involved in removing telephone equipment and re-installing It every time that a house changes hands, he will take steps to ensure that telephone equipment is not removed in such circumstances until all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the incoming occupier will not require to use it.

The general practice is as desired by the hon. and gallant Member. In localities, however, where there are earlier applicants waiting for service, it is only fair that their claims should be considered, and in some instances they are given the telephone instead of the newcomer.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the practice to which he has referred is honoured more in the breach than in the observance? Is it not very unbusinesslike to go and take out a telephone installation without finding out whether it is wanted by the new occupant of the house? Does it not accentuate the state of affairs which is mentioned in Question No. 3—unnecessary delays.

In these times we have to consider the claims of the various applicants for telephone services, and if a telephone is needed by someone in the same area occasionally we have to take it from a house rather than leave it for an incoming tenant.

Will the hon. Gentleman look into this a little further, and see whether it is not shortage of in struments which is the cause?

Sometimes it is implements that are short, sometimes labour.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will state the result of his inquiries into the telephone position in the Island of Scarp, Outer Hebrides.

This matter is being considered as part of a general review of the telecommunications system in the more remote Scottish Islands, and examination of the technical problems involved has not yet been completed.

May I take it that it is very likely that Scarp Island will be adequately covered for telephone services, among other places?

Yes, Sir, Scarp is included in the review.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will state the rate at which telephones are now being supplied and the number of applications still to be satisfied.

The present rate is about 47,000 a month, and nearly 300,000 applications are on hand.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will arrange for all letters and parcels to be delivered in rural areas by motor-van as soon as the necessary vehicles are available, in order to make possible speedier deliveries.

It is my Department's policy to improve rural services by the use of motors whenever their use can be justified economically. Development has been interrupted by the war, but my Noble Friend intends to press on with it as speedily as conditions permit.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will consider increasing the weight of parcels accepted for parcel post to 28 pounds, in order to assist those living in rural areas and to encourage the mail order business.

lam sorry that for practical reasons it would not be feasible to increase the limit of weight of parcels in the inland post to 28 lb.

Would it not be possible to increase the weight at any rate above the present amount in view of the inconvenience caused in rural areas by the present limitation?

It would mean negotiations with the railway companies, and I also understand it would mean statutory consideration as well.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in many countries where there are practical difficulties parcels of this weight are carried to the great convenience of the public?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the value of G.P.O. business transacted in 1938, together with the sum transferred to the Exchequer in the same year; and the corresponding figures for 1943 and 1944.

The revenue derived from Post Office services, including both cash receipts and the value of services to other Departments not paid for in cash, and the amounts of revenue transferred to the Exchequer for each of the years named, are as follows:

Could the hon. Gentleman use these sums to keep the wireless licence at its present figure?

Is it not a fact that this increased revenue is not justified by the service given at the present moment? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that you have to post letters in this House before a quarter past two if they are to be delivered the next day in the North-Western rural areas of this country?

The services given at the present are not, I admit, up to the standard we want, but that is due to the shortage of labour and wartime conditions that still persist in the Post Office.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many of the present charges are deterrent charges deliberately imposed in order to cut down the use of postal and telephone services during the war?

These deterrents were necessary because of the shortage of labour.

They should not be necessary much longer.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will state the total revenue received from wire less licence holders in Scotland in 1945; and the proportion thereof allocated to the B.B.C.

The total revenue from the issue of broadcast receiving licences in Scotland during 1945 was £496,000. Since 1940 the B.B.C. has been financed by grants-in-aid, the amounts of which have substantially exceeded the sums received from the sale of licences; and there has therefore been no question of an allocation to the B.B.C. of any part of licence revenue.

Could my hon. Friend give the House separate figures for the County of Argyll in view of the weekly political broadcast?

I am afraid not.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what is the delay between the application for, and the payment of, gratuities; how many cases still remain to be dealt with by his Department; and if he will take steps to speed up these payments.

Where an application for gratuity is necessary, that application has to be made to the Service Department concerned or to the local authority in the case of Civil Defence personnel. When the amount has been assessed the Department concerned asks the Post Office Savings Department to issue a Savings Bank book. The Savings Department aims at despatching the book to the recipient within a week of the receipt of the notification, and except for a short time at the end of December and the beginning of January, this aim has been achieved. On the 21st January, the Savings Department had on hand about 18,000 notifications. The books in these cases have either already been issued or will be issued this week.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will state the countries in Europe to which letters may still not be sent from this country; and how soon postal services will be opened with them.

Germany is now the only country in Europe to which there is no postal service from this country. The Allied Control Council in Germany still has the general question of restoring Germany's international postal services under discussion, and while my Department is ready to assist in any way possible, I cannot forecast what services it will be decided to afford or their probable dates of introduction.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether he is able to bring any influence to bear on the Allied Control Council, because how does he expect the civilising influence of out people to be felt in Germany unless there are frequent communications between the two peoples?

I think the Allied Control Council can manage this job without any help.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will arrange for old age pensioners resident in the Channel Islands to be eligible for supplementary pensions.

No, Sir. Section 9 (5) of the Old Age and Widows' Pensions Act, 1940, does not permit supplementary pensions to be paid to persons outside Great Britain.

In view of the hardship caused by this lack of provision, will not my right hon. Friend consider whether steps can be taken to alter it, since these people need supplementary old age pensions?

I am afraid that supplementation is a matter for the authorities in the Channel Islands.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether it is his intention to establish an office in Wales for the administration of the Children's Allowances Act with the same measure of autonomy as is already provided for the Health and Pensions Schemes.

As I stated in reply to questions by the hon. Members for Cardiff Central (Mr. G. Thomas) and Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Watkins) on ist November last, the Ministry's Claims and Records Office for the purposes of the Family Allowances Act will be situated in Newcastle, but specific difficulties arising on claims to family allowances in Wales will be dealt with by the Central Welsh Office at Cardiff and local offices in the Principality, and oral hearings in Welsh cases referred to a referee on appeal will normally be conducted in Wales.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether all fishermen, including inshore fishermen and lobster fishermen, are as fully provided for in the proposed national insurance scheme as industrial workers; and whether he will give the same assurance regarding crofters and squatters.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await publication of the National Insurance Bill which will be available later today.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will state the number of building trade operatives in Glasgow who received unemployment benefit during the month of December.

I am informed that on 10th December, 1945, there were 305 claimants for benefit or applicants for unemployment allowances, classified as belonging to the building industry on the register of the employment exchanges in Glasgow.

Can my right hon. Friend give any reason why building trade operatives should be idle in Glasgow, where there is such dire need for additional houses?

That is a question for the Minister of Labour.

Would the right hon. Gentleman convey it to the Minister of Labour?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of civilian police still in the Services and when it is anticipated they will all have returned; the number of extra police needed for peacetime requirements; the present strength and the number required to bring the force to fulltime strength; and the number of new recruits who will be trained by April, 1946, April, 1947, and April, 1948, respectively.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great spread of crime, holdup and robbery as a result of the shortage of police, and will he take energetic steps at least to remedy the deficiency?

I am taking the most energetic steps possible to recruit the police force, but I do not think that more recruitment would prevent some of the crimes to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has alluded.

Following is the answer:

On 1st January, 1946, there were about 5,750 policemen still in the Armed Forces. With the exception of men who are retained on grounds of military necessity or who are not prepared to accept Class B release, these should have returned by March next. The pre-war establishment of the police forces in England and Wales was 64,500, but I cannot yet say to what extent the establishment will need to be increased to meet post-war conditions. The present strength is 53,950 and 10,550 men are therefore required to bring the service to full strength, including those due to return from the Armed Forces. The numbers of new recruits trained by April, 1946, April, 1947 and April, 1948, are estimated at 1,000, 11,000 and 15,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention ha,s been called to the statement made by Mr. Harold McKenna, Chairman of the Berkshire Quarter Sessions, when dealing with two Wellington College boys found guilty on three charges of house-breaking and larceny; that the Borstal Commissioners had considered the case and did not want the boys at Borstal; and if the Borstal Commissioners have discretion as to which offenders they will accept and which refuse.

The Prevention of Crime Act, 1908, authorises a court to pass a sentence of Borstal detention in lieu of other penalties if it appears that by reason of a young offender's criminal habits or tendencies a course of instruction and discipline in a Borstal institution would be most conducive to his reformation and to the repression of crime. It is for the court to decide whether Borstal training is to be preferred to other methods of dealing with an offender, but the court is required by the Act of 1908, before passing a Borstal sentence, to consider any report or representations made to it on behalf of the Prison Commissioners as to the suitability of the case for training in a Borstal institution. Such information as was available to the prison authorities about the history and circumstances of these two youths did not suggest that they were suitable cases for such training, and their report to the court was to the effect that Borstal training was not recommended.

May I take it, from what my right hon. Friend says, that it still would have been competent for this magistrate, had he wished to do so, to send these boys to Borstal?

It would have been competent for the court—which was a court of quarter sessions with a chairman, and other justices sitting with him, who are supposed to participate in considering the sentence—to decide, in the light of all the circumstances and evidence before them, that the two boys should go to Borstal.

In view of the inferential criticism of the court by the hon. Gentleman, is it not the fact that the court was merely following the usual practice, namely, of having regard to the report of the Prison Commissioners?

They undoubtedly had regard to it, but I have known cases where the court has disregarded the recommendation of the Prison Commissioners one way or the other.

May I ask the Minister if it is not the case that there is very gross discrimination as between college boys and corner boys, and will he not see that these boys get full consideration?

On my experience at quarter sessions it is very unusual to send youths on a first conviction to Borstal, though there are exceptional cases where that is necessary. I am quite convinced that in this case, as in most others, no class discrimination took place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any statement to make regarding the recent series of attempted escapes of Borstal boys from Dartmoor; and whether he has reconsidered his decision as to the suitability of the prison as a Borstal establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any statement to make about the continued use of Dartmoor as a Borstal institution in view of the repeated escapes that have been made from it in recent weeks.

Since the Borstal Institution at Dartmoor was opened on 15th November last, there have been 12 escapes, nine of them from outside working parties. All the absconders were recaptured. There is always a risk of escape from Borstal training, since it is an essential part of the training that work is carried on in conditions involving a measure of trust which could not be extended to ordinary prisoners. Successful escape from Dartmoor is in fact less easy than from other Borstal institutions, because of its situation. I do not think that these escapes give any ground for reconsidering my decision that Dartmoor must be used as a temporary Borstal institution pending the provision of better alternative accommodation.

Could the Home Secretary say how long he intends to continue Dartmoor as a Borstal institution?

As I have previously assured the House, until such time as I can provide suitable alternative accommodation. I have already made some progress in that direction, and I would ask right hon. Members and hon. Members, when I ask for a particular place to be used as a Borstal institution and it happens to be in their constituency, to realise that these places have to be somewhere.

In view of the answer my right hon. Friend gave to a previous Question, does he think that some of these boys might be accommodated in Wellington College?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take legislative steps to ensure that the possession of lethal weapons by any person without an official permit is punishable as a criminal offence with heavy penalties.

Under the Firearms Act, 1937, it is an offence, punishable on summary conviction by imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding £50 or both imprisonment and fine, to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition without a firearm certificate. In the case of an automatic weapon, or where a person has in his possession a firearm or ammunition with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, it is possible to impose much heavier penalties. I do not think that any further legislation on this point is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider introducing, in the near future, amendments to the Cremation Act, 1902, and subsequent Regulations, to remove the present legal discriminations hampering the development of the practice of cremation.

This question, and other questions connected with cremation, are matters which I hope to take up as soon as I have an opportunity.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the law governing cremation dates back to the days when a cremationist was regarded either as a crank or as a criminal, and that, in particular, municipalities are at a disadvantage compared with private individuals in establishing crematoriums? Will he, as soon as an opportunity arises, see that the Act governing this important subject is brought up to date?

There are many Acts which require to be brought up to date. I cannot regard this as among the most urgent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has now considered what special powers he may require to deal with the revival of Fascist activity in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now consider introducing legislation to make racial propaganda a criminal offence.

His Majesty's Government are giving their closest attention to the question of the best method of dealing with Fascist activities, but I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

Among other considerations, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the very bad propaganda repercussions in liberated and ex-enemy countries when they hear, for instance, that Fascist candidates are allowed to stand at by-elections in this country?

I think that this is a question which wants examining from both points of view, and I am exceedingly anxious that nothing should be done to convince people that this country has become either timorous or intolerant.

Might I ask if the Home Secretary would consider widening the ambit of his inquiries, so as to embrace the activities of other bodies which endeavour to impose a foreign totalitarian regime?

As I explained to the House on the last occasion, I have to be very careful that I do not aim at the crow and hit the pigeon.

Would it not be possible to deal with anti-Semitic activities without being described as intolerant?

Anti-Semitic activities of a certain kind are already an offence. I am considering how far it is possible to make some amendment of the law which would rather widen the powers that I have at present, but there again the matter is exceedingly difficult. There are a large number of people of Semitic descent who would object to a law which was specifically aimed at their protection and that of no one else.

Arising out of the previous reply, can the Home Secretary say that he is satisfied that his security authorities are properly equipped to investigate Fascist activities? They have not always been so in the past. There has been undue attention paid to democratically-minded citizens who may have had tendencies to the Left, and my right hon. Friend's Department has not always been completely unbiassed.

I can only deal with the situation as I find it today, and I do not think that such criticism as has been uttered by the hon. and gallant Member is applicable to the Force today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the petition, forwarded to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, signed by many members of 322 M.U., S.E.A.A.F., expressing their indignation at the re-emergence of Fascist activities in this country, and calling for immediate action; and what steps he is taking, or proposes to take, to meet the demands made in this petition.

I have received the petition and entirely sympathise with the petitioners in their loathing of the Fascist creed. I have already informed the House that His Majesty's Government are considering what is the best method of preventing a turbulent minority from endangering our liberties, and if the Government come to the conclusion that some strengthening of the existing provisions of our law is required the necessary legislation will be introduced.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the outstanding characteristic of Fascism, with which a certain Noble Gentleman seems to have deep sympathy, is organised and brutal gangsterism? Is he further aware, through terrible experience, that the campaign of anti-Semitism is an incitement to murder?

I am aware of both those facts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now any further information to give the House about the release of men from the N.F.S.

As I explained in answer to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett) and Spennymoor (Mr. Murray) on 8th November, I desire as soon as possible to relax the restrictions on leaving the National Fire Service. The recruiting plans to which I referred have not, however, progressed to a point which would enable me to add to the statement which I made on that occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether steps have now been taken to expedite the payment of gratuities and release credits to ex-members of the N.F.S.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how soon he expects to be able to grant permission for visits to this country of a private nature from abroad; and whether he will give special consideration to relatives living abroad of persons living in this country.

I am anxious that restrictions on visits for private purposes shall be progressively released as soon as circumstances permit, but, in view both of the very large numbers of people who want to come to this country at the present time, and of the shortage of accommodation and of supplies of various kinds, I regret that it is not at present possible to allow unlimited facilities for such visits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what purpose the rooms of Adolfo Caltabiano, of Nassington Road, N.W.3, were lately raided by the police.

My information is that there has been no such raid.

If there was no raid, there must have been a burglary. Will the Home Secretary undertake an inquiry into this case to ensure that both in the case of the alleged raid and the burglary there has been no political victimisation?

No, I have made inquiries; the police called at this gentleman's address in October, 1945, to make inquiries about a ferocious dog. A summons was issued, and the matter would have come before the court, but, unfortunately, the gentleman was certified insane.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the landlady, who has certainly not been certified as insane, alleges that some political literature was taken away, and that this gentleman, who has now been carried off to some mental home, is in fact a highly respectable person who advocates a highly respectable creed of Anarchism? Will the Home Secretary make further inquiries to ensure that his Department does carry out the principles of tolerance to which he has paid tribute?

I have made the most careful inquiries from the moment that my hon. Friend's Question appeared on the Paper. I am satisfied that the answer I gave is correct. I regret to say that a great many very respectable people are in fact from time to time certified insane.

rose —

Hon. Members cannot debate it now by question and answer.

On a point of Order. This concerns a very important matter. This is a forced entry into a private house which the Secretary of State denies.

This is not a matter which can be dealt with by question and answer; it can be debated on the Adjournment.

It is outrageous. May I ask the Home Secretary—

This cannot be debated by question and answer.

On a point of Order. I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

I think the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) used the word "outrageous." I must direct him to withdraw that at once.

Mr. Speaker, I never called anything you said "outrageous"; I called the Secretary of State's answer "outrageous."

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions are given to the police about preventing obstruction by newspaper sellers outside the gates of Hyde Park at Marble Arch; and whether he will review these instructions to ensure that they do not involve an interference with political liberties.

It is the duty of the police—and the police are instructed accordingly—to see that there is no obstruction of free passage on the footway or in the road, and if street sellers cause obstruction at this congested place, the police must deal with them irrespective of what they are selling. There are no special instructions relating to newspaper vendors, and I am satisfied that no interference with political liberty is involved.

Will the Home Secretary take into account the fact that persons who sell newspapers outside Hyde Park at Marble Arch are generally persons who cannot sell their newspapers through the ordinary facilities? Will he also bearin mind that the people who sell newspapers outside Hyde Park, like people who make speeches inside, contribute a very agreeable amenity to this capital city. Will he, therefore, stop the police from preventing them?

I agree with the description my hon. Friend has given of this form of activity, but if the highway is obstructed it is the duty of the police to take the necessary action.

Will my right hon. Friend undertake to pay a visit himself to Hyde Park at Marble Arch one Sunday, and he will see for himself that there is no real obstruction to the passage of people on the pavement?

I do go there from time to time, and I will pay particular attention to this matter the next time I am there.

Will the Home Secretary also take note of the fact that as newspapers and pamphlets are not allowed to be sold inside the park, they are necessarily sold in a very limited area, and because of that congestion is alleged? I say it does not take place and that the sellers are very orderly.

If there is no obstruction there can be no ground for action, and there would be no conviction if action were taken.

When the Home Secretary reports to the House that he has made inquiries into complaints of this kind, does he mean that he has consulted the police or that he has consulted the parties making the complaint as well? [An HON. MEMBER: "Or Mr. Laski?"]

I make inquiries of the police and such other persons as appear to me to be capable of giving me information or advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the sentence of three months' imprisonment imposed on a boy of 14 years of age by the Newton-le-Willows magistrates' court; and if he will take immediate steps to have this boy removed from the unsuitable environment of an ordinary prison to some more suitable institution.

I have much information as to this boy's previous history and am giving careful consideration to the question of what further action can most suitably be taken in the best interests of the boy.

Will the Home Secretary consider the question of this boy receiving attention at a child guidance clinic, having regard to his previous history, of which my right hon. Friend is aware?

This boy has, I imagine, been the subject of more consideration than any other boy who has ever been brought within the purview of the Home Office. He has confounded all the experts, and all efforts to help and control him have, up to the present, failed. It is one of the most exceptional cases, if not the most exceptional case, that has ever been brought before my Department, and it is causing me not merely concern, but anxiety.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the reasons for the recent enforced repatriation of over 100 Greeks from Cardiff; and whether this action was part of a general policy to be enforced over the whole of the country.

Owing to the reduction in the number of Greek ships plying to the United Kingdom, a large number of Greek seamen who are surplus to the needs of the Greek Merchant Navy Pool have been required to leave in accordance with the conditions on which they were allowed to come here. The general understanding regarding all Allied seamen who have been temporarily based on the United Kingdom owing to the war, has always been that they would return to their own countries when their services as seamen were no longer required here and repatriation became possible: and the majority have already gone.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a large number of these repatriated Greeks have given very gallant service during the war, having suffered through being torpedoed or mined whilst at sea, and that it is widely believed in the City of Cardiff that their repatriation, standing alone in the country, is linked up with the recent hunger strike which took place at our city docks?

No, Sir, these are not the only alien seamen who are being repatriated. Alien seamen of other nationalities, for whom there is no longer employment, are being repatriated, and there is no discrimination at all. Neither was the question of a sit-down strike or anything else brought to my notice when I signed the necessary orders.

In view of the instances of people who for one reason or other are really afraid to go back to their countries of origin, would the Home Secretary consider making a general statement on the position of such people in this country?

Whenever representation is made to me that a person who might be deported would be the subject of political or religious persecution in the land to which it is proposed to send him back, I am most careful not to sign an order until I am satisfied that there is no ground for the misgiving. If there is the slightest ground for the misgiving, I hold my hand.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give an indication as to when assessment tribunals will be set up.

I am keeping this matter under careful review but I am afraid I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible to appoint a day for the operation of Section 5 of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act, 1943, particularly in view of the priority which must be given to the more important issues involved in entitlement appeals.

Is not the Minister aware that hardship is being caused in many cases, by the absence of these tribunals?

I have that in mind, and I shall lose no time in setting them up.

asked the Minister of Pensions if an estimate was made during the war just ended of the probable number of casualties and approximate cost of pensions; to what extent the estimate of casualties was higher than, the actual number; and whether the improvements in pensions, recently announced, absorb the whole of the resultant saving in expenditure.

During the recent war no reliable estimate could be made of the probable cost of war pensions, and the second and third parts of the question do not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Pensions if, in view of the increases recently announced in disability pensions payable to other ranks, he will now state what increases are to be made in ex-officers' disability pensions.

The increases recently announced in disability, pensions payable to other ranks still leave the cor- responding rates payable to disabled officers substantially higher, and no increases in the latter rates are contemplated. Officers will, however, benefit by the new provisions for a special hardship allowance and for allowances for a wife and family explained in Parts III and VI respectively of Command 6714.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his reply will cause great concern among ex-officers, because the circumstances that justified the increase in other rank pensions, which I welcomed, also justify an increase in their case? Will the Minister reconsider this matter?

I think my answer deals with that point.

asked the Minister of Pensions, if he is aware of the delay in dealing with applications for war pensions and that ex-Servicemen's organisations such as the British Legion are having to use their own funds to assist applicants who are awaiting decisions regarding war pensions; and if he will take steps to remedy this matter.

In the large majority of claims made at the time of invaliding or in respect of death in service a decision is notified before service pay ceases. There are cases where further enquiries have to be made but these are dealt with as quickly as possible. My information does not lead me to think that the position as set out by the hon. and gallant Member is of common occurrence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is taking up to three weeks to receive acknowledgment of the application and 10 weeks to receive the decision?

It may do in exceptional cases, but it is by no means common.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a case to which I drew the attention of his Department on two occasions has been hanging fire for a period of 10 months now, and will he give that case urgent attention if again I bring it to his notice?

If the hon. Member will let me know what case it is, I will certainly look into it.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the regional office at Leeds has been moved from the centre of the city to Lawnswood; and if he is aware that the long tram-car journey followed by a walk at Lawnswood is causing inconvenience to disabled ex-Servicemen from all parts of Yorkshire who visit the office daily.

The regional office in Leeds was moved because the premises at York Place, about which many complaints had been received, had become inadequate for the Ministry's requirements. A lengthy search revealed no premises as suitable as those at Lawnswood, and satisfaction has been expressed with the change. I have, however, received some complaints regarding the location of the office and I am looking into the question whether the transport arrangements can be improved. I will write to my hon. Friend when my inquiries are complete.

Whilst thanking the Minister for that answer, and whilst appreciating the difficulties, may I ask if it would not have been possible to come to an arrangement with some other Ministry for the removal of that Ministry to Lawnswood, preferably the Ministry of Fuel and Power, most of whose visitors possess motor vehicles, rather than the Ministry of Pensions, most of whose visitors are disabled people?

I think our people have looked into all the possibilities of getting offices in Leeds itself, or within a short distance of the station, but we just could not do it.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will reconsider the exclusion of 1914–1918 disabled men from the special allowances to be granted to 1939–1945 pensioners and to injured workmen under the Industrial Injuries Bill, who are unable to resume former or other occupations of equivalent standard.

The allowance in question will be granted to disabled men who are permanently incapable of resuming their former occupation or of following or being trained for one of equivalent standard. It would, in general, be impracticable to apply these criteria to cases where the disability was incurred up to 30 years ago. There was, moreover, in operation in respect of the war of 1914–18 an alternative pension scheme designed to provide special compensation in cases of loss of earning capacity.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider extending the issue of the King's Badge, now confined to pensioners only, to all ex-Service men and women, to be worn as an emblem of service in the armed forces of the Crown during the 1939–46 war.

No, Sir.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there are so many ex-Servicemen now who have nothing to show for their service that there is a black market in an artificial badge, and could not this be killed and everybody given satisfaction by providing some emblem of service to those who have been in the Services?

No, I do not agree with the hon. Member. There are ribbons that can be worn but there is the old saying, "Where everybody is somebody then no one is anybody." If you give everybody a ribbon then they will be of no value.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the establishment of U.N.O., he will consider changing the title of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to that of Secretary of State for International Relations.

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister, if he is aware of the influential public demand in the Union of South Africa for the transfer to the Union Government of the protectorates of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland; what representations he has received in this connection; and if, in view of the colour discrimination in force under the Union Government, he will give an assurance that no such transfer is contemplated by His Majesty's Government.

This matter has been discussed on several occasions in the past, but no recent representations have been received on the subject from His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa. As already explained on 23rd August last, the position of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom remains governed by the pledges set out in the Parliamentary Paper, Command 4948.

Does that answer imply that there is an assurance such as is asked for in the latter part of my original Question?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the assurance that was given. He will find that completely satisfactory.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government are, or have been, in consultation with His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions, other than Eire, regarding the interim and long term military needs and commitments of this country and Empire; and whether any decision has yet been reached regarding the permanent strength of the R.N., Army and R.A.F.

As regards the first part of the Question, I can give the hon. and gallant Member the assurance he desires. It is the established policy of His Majesty's Government to consult Dominion Governments on all major issues of defence policy. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative, but the problem is under active consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the need for enlisting the support of the people in every country, he will give immediate instructions for the release of newsprint and labour to enable British newspapers to report adequately the discussions of the U.N.O. without curtailing other essential news and views.

While I appreciate the great importance of adequately reporting the matters now under discussion, I regret that I cannot at present agree to an increase in the size of newspapers. The general position will, however, be reviewed as soon as currency and supply considerations permit.

Are those the only reasons which prevent the necessary release of labour and newsprint for the extension of the papers?

Yes, Sir It is the question of newsprint.

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind that if more newsprint and labour is made available there is no guarantee that it will be used for the purposes set out in this Question?

Owing to the great importance of this question I am going to raise it on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider recognising the outstanding contribution to British aviation by Group-Captain Wilson and Mr. Greenwood in beating the world's air speed record.

Recommendations, for awards for speed records are dealt with in relation to the half-yearly lists, and these names will be considered accordingly.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the output during the month of November, 1945, per wage earner in the Ruhr coalmines.

Twenty tons.

Has any incentive been provided for the Ruhr coalminers to increase their output?

The incentive that has been provided is higher rations, de-Nazification on a progressive scale, and the result is shown in the fact that from July the output per man-shift has gone up progressively month by month until in December it was 1.5 tons.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many persons in the British zone have been removed from administrative posts and other positions of authority under the terms of the Potsdam Declaration directing that all members of the Nazi Party shall be excluded from office; and what steps are being taken to ensure that all these people, deprived of any occupation, are not engaged in undermining the authority of the Allied Control Commission.

The Potsdam agreement provides for the exclusion from office of members of the Nazi Party who played more than a nominal part in Nazi activities. Accordingly, some 72,000 former Nazis in the British Zone had been removed from office by December 31st last. A further 41,486 have been excluded from holding office. The more dangerous of the former category are held under arrest. The activities of the remainder are circumscribed in various ways. They are subject to direction in regard to employment. They cannot return to positions of responsibility. Restrictions on change of residence are rigorously applied to them. They are subject to the control and supervision of our intelligence service.

Can the hon. Member say whether when the people are in idleness some work is given to them, because if they are idle they are more likely to be mischievous than if they are employed?

Those who are in prison and awaiting trial, can be directed to manual labour under which they can be closely supervised.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements he has now made for postal communication between persons in this country and their relatives or friends in Germany who qualify under the scheme in force for entry into the United Kingdom.

Special arrangements are being made to enable these persons to communicate with the relative through official channels. An announcement, giving full particulars of the procedure, will be made shortly.

Can the Minister say how soon? Is he not aware that persons in this country have to adopt most undesirable means for communicating with the people? Would he say whether the new arrangements would come in within the next few days?